Dr. Pasha's Arabic sessions - Lesson: 04

Email: 04
24 July 2020
[Dr. Pasha’s Arabic Language and Cultural Immersion Sessions]

From Dr. Pasha:

Assalamu Alaikum,

People,

Please read every word i write. It takes time, effort, and years and years of research.

*participant*, Mu'jam came up for ** dollars or so.

I know *participant* does. So must the rest of us.

That is where much of the theory of working for Allah comes from. Otherwise, you will be in a limbo forever.

And don't forget, TT is where great ideas go to die.

wassalam,

Dr. Pasha:

Assalamu Alaikum,

Allah bless you *participant*

One man, doing it all. Just like I made the Du'a and you said you would.

May Allah grant you and me both Istiqaamat so we can get Allah's work done.

Participant:

Assalaamu Alaikum

Dr. Pasha, learning Arabic language has been a long standing side project of mines for many years.

Dr. Pasha:

Question is: why? What motives?

Much later, another question: what do you hope to achieve? Speak with others? Read? What?

Participant:

Its been all self study but I have not given it the consistent attention that I should have over the years and maybe now is the time to do so.

Dr. Pasha:

I am getting the feeling time is now. Allah knows best. As he always does.

Participant:

There are several books that I have collected over the years, some hard copies and some pdf copies. I will start to upload these later Insha Allah, including dictionaries and other resources.

Dr. Pasha:

I also have a whole library full of them, but question is where?

Is there a Mu'jam around? How much does it cost? That is the one i hope to use if ever we get off the ground.

You already have a revolution going -- with that approach.

Participant:

There is a series of books -Durus al-Lughat al-Arabiyyah 3 volumes - which is used by the University of Madinah authored by Dr. V. Abdur Raheem. Dr. Abdur Raheem is from India and use to teach at the University of Madinah for many years and these books have become a sort of staple and go to resource for many Muslims who are learning Arabic language . I think it’s a useful starting point especially when supplemented by other books that give more detailed explanations of the grammar in English. To me the book offers a sort of immersive approach and quickly makes the transition to reading the Arabic without the diacritical marks.

Dr. Pasha:

I am familiar with the name. Might even have met him. Would love to take a look at it.

Participant:

With self study there is the deficiency with the conversational component which would reinforce what you are learning otherwise. A class can supplement this or a program with a native speaker which can be arranged online for a small fee.

Dr. Pasha:

That is where the problem is: native speakers.

Participant:

As for the training of teachers ... I think we must do this ourselves to give it a chance of success, such as we are. I see this personal learning of Arabic Language and training of others as a natural next step of the Read the Qur’an Campaign.

Dr. Pasha:

Qur'an campaign was different. It was a movement. A revolution. Allah's hand was with it.

This is a professional job. Certification is required. Hoops to jump through.

Participant:

I don’t think you should be burdened with the “training the teachers” component save to guide us, but whatever you can do to maybe train us or start the training process, would go a long way towards success.

There are various programs out there offering learning Arabic language - both online and face to face courses. A few years ago I had looked at a program offered by the University of Toronto. I will look into this too as it offers an opportunity to be certified as well from a reputable university. I think there are places in the UK that would also offer this.

Dr. Pasha:

Maybe when it comes to certification, we can tap into that. I would rather trust Toronto than any local or native thugs.

Participant:

I will compile my personal library of resources and share it soon Insha Allah.

Dr. Pasha:

A partial tally of issues:

My health.

Energy -- that comes in windows of one or two hours per day.

Time: professional demands. Family, which never got any time from me for years and years and years.

Resources: books and things and computer stuff, so we can use visual aids.

Effort: I cannot do the legwork to find and mobilize resources.

Ideas: my "things" are not "taught" using notes. Or cue cards. Both at University and Islam stuff.

These are torrents that pour out when and as Allah wants them to. In my university classes and "Islam" things. When people really "sought" Ilm, from real Aalims, they waited when the Aalim was ready and able to speak.

Now, we use a commercial model. It is on-demand speaking. Doesn’t work for me, even though I try to roll with those punches as best as I can.

Motivation. I, being a child of the world, with a very wobbly foothold on Islam, go up and down with the people who I have in front of me. White folks at university or Muslims. White folks, I whip them into shape. Muslims, there is not a thing I can do.

When I see talent, and effort, and motivation, I seem to be able to go on endlessly. When it becomes folks taking you for a ride while they hide behind cliches, my motivation and energy die a thousand deaths.

That is not how it is supposed to be. But that is how it is.

That is why I am writing this long letter. Because you are spending your own time and effort to engage. Which you do at other times too.

And because I see a focus. And a likely outcome.

And a few other things.

But...let us, one more time, put our trust in Allah and get the ball rolling.